Program Overview

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Technical Communication, MS

The Master of Science program in technical communication is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to design, produce, and manage print and digital texts using a variety of tools and technologies. This program balances theory and practice, ensuring that students develop analytical approaches, technological expertise, and skills necessary for success as technical communicators.

Program Description

The program is open to students from any field and focuses on developing in-demand professional communication skills applicable to careers in many sectors. Students learn how to comprehend and break down complex technical information, making them highly valuable to businesses and institutions.

At a Glance

• College/school: College of Integrative Sciences and Arts
• Location: Polytechnic or Online
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree Requirements

The program requires 36 credit hours, which can be completed in one of three ways:

• 36 credit hours including a thesis
• 36 credit hours including the required applied project course (TWC 593)
• 36 credit hours including the required capstone course (TWC 596)

Required Core

• TWC 504 Applied Rhetoric and Technical Communication (3 credit hours)
• TWC 505 Research in Technical and Applied Communication (3 credit hours)

Restricted Electives

Students must complete 21 or 27 credit hours of restricted electives, depending on their chosen culminating experience.

Culminating Experience

• TWC 593 Applied Project (6 credit hours)
• TWC 596 Technical Communication Capstone (3 credit hours)
• TWC 599 Thesis (6 credit hours)

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students must meet general university admission requirements.
• Applicant requirements:
  • Earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program
• Application materials:
  • Graduate admission application and application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Statement of purpose
  • Portfolio
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

Tuition information can be found on the university's website, and students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Attend Online

The program is offered in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Develop solutions to complex problems in managing projects
• Recommend improvements to design and impact of technical content based on technical communication research methods
• Create visualizations considering affordance and limitations of visualization methods, tools, and techniques

Career Opportunities

Professionals with expertise in technical communication are in high demand across sectors and industries. Graduates are prepared for positions in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, with plenty of professional opportunities for career advancement. Career examples include:

• Instructional designer
• Interface designer
• IT project manager
• Public relations manager
• Social media manager
• Technical writer
• User experience specialist
• Web administrator

Additional Information

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in technical communication, preparing them for a wide range of career opportunities. With its focus on theory and practice, the program ensures that students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field.